Saturdays are hard days around here. I think they are because a Saturday was the last day that dad was alive. They are also tough because mom and I miss him so much, and Saturdays were the one day a week that he was usually home all day. I do not think we have gotten used to dad not being here on Saturdays yet.
Dad had a schedule he followed every Saturday. He would get up early, go to Sam’s Club, and then to Publix. After his errands, he would come home, sit in his living room recliner and let the dogs hop up into his lap. He would then flip the channels of the TV back and forth – turning it from football to a western and then back again. At half time he would usually help us with a few things around the house.
Even though dad enjoyed watching football, he was not so involved in it that you could not talk to him. Having conversations with him became one of my favorite things to do. We could have conversations about anything from politics to what he did for a living, and sometimes our conversations were just down-right silly.
The last activity dad and I did together was cut grass in the backyard. So every time I cut the grass I am reminded of dad. Last Saturday was no exception. In the end, mom and I ended up having a good cry.
On Thursday a couple – who are good friends with mom, and were good friends with dad – came over to help us with a couple of projects that mom and I were too short to reach. The husband has a similar body style to dad. He is a tall and big man. It felt good having someone – who reminded me of dad – doing little odd projects around the house. After he finished the few things we needed him to do, mom and I met him and his wife at Crackle Barrel. It was a very pleasant supper.
I do not know what made me say it, but I told the man and his wife that mom and I needed him to come over on a Saturday. We do not need him to do any projects, I just thought it would be nice to have someone – who reminded me of dad – hang out with us. Everyone chuckled at my request, but he did not seem opposed to it. I do not think I would ever actually ask him to do that, but it is nice to know that if I really wanted him to he would.